Bi-directional mounting bracket assembly for exterior siding

ABSTRACT

An bi-directional mounting bracket assembly is utilized in conjunction with exterior siding that covers sheathing of an exterior wall. A base member of the assembly has a mounting flange secured to the sheathing and a wall arrangement that projects outward with respect to the sheathing and from the mounting flange. Preferably, the wall arrangement supports a raised central panel used for mounting of fixtures. The wall arrangement preferably has four walls extending laterally between the mounting flange and the central panel. Spaced radially outward from the two adjacent walls are respective first and second drip ledges, and spaced radially outward from the other two adjacent walls are respective first and second baffle sets. When the assembly is mounted to the sheathing, a selective one of the two drip ledges is disposed substantially horizontally and beneath the wall arrangement for shedding of water. The baffle set adjacent to the horizontal drip ledge cascades water downward and generally toward the respective wall to channel water upon the horizontal drip ledge.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and all advantages of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/712,523 which was filed on Aug.31, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention generally relates to an exterior siding mountingbracket assembly and more particularly to a bi-directional mountingbracket assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Common in residential building structures, sheathing of an exterior wallis known to be covered with a siding material typically made of cedar,aluminum, plastic or other synthetic material often made to appear likewood. Often, various exterior appendages of the home such as clothsdryer vents, exterior light fixtures, electrical outlets, and waterspigots must be trimmed-out around the siding for aesthetic reasons.This is commonly done with a mounting bracket. One such example of aknown mounting bracket is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708, assigned tothe same assignee as the present invention and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The known mounting bracket has an internalbase member that snap fits to an external trim member along an axisdisposed perpendicular to the sheathing and during assembly. The basemember has a continuous flange that projects radially outward and istypically nailed to the sheathing under the siding. Projecting axiallyor laterally outward from the flange and to an inner central panel is acontinuous wall. Generally, the wall defines the perimeter of thecentral panel. A cutout communicates through the panel and has a shapegenerally dictated by the appendage projecting through it.

The trim member typically has a continuous partition that projectslaterally and axially inward toward the base member, and anaesthetically pleasing flange that projects radially outward from thepartition. An opening is generally defined by the partition and receivesthe wall and central panel when the bracket is assembled. The partitionis generally shaped to conform with the wall. Multi-positional snap fitfeatures are known to be carried between a radially outward surface ofthe wall and a radially inward surface of the partition. When thebracket is assembled, the close proximity of the partition to the wallcauses the feature to lock the partition and wall together.

During construction of the building, once the base member is secured tothe wall or sheathing, the siding material is installed over thesheathing and over the flange. The siding, however, must be trimmed sothat it is slightly spaced from the continuous wall of the base member.This spacing allows room for entry of the continuous partition of thetrim piece, yet is close enough to the wall of the bracket so that theends are aesthetically concealed by the outer flange of the trim memberwhich is substantially flush to the siding. Unfortunately, the siding istypically exposed to rain or water which flows down the siding andbeneath the exterior flange. This water can accumulate and seep beneaththe concealed ends of the siding and against the mounting flange of thebase member. Accumulation of water directly against the mounting flangecan cause water propagation outward from the wall of the base member andbeyond the mounting flange, thus exposing the sheathing to moisture. Theretained moisture can potentially create a host of problems includingthe rot of wood, disintegration of simulated materials and theattraction of unwanted insects.

To reduce or eliminate this water seepage, various bracket assembliesare known to be self-flashing for diverting water run-off away from thesheathing. One such bracket is taught in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2003/0136060 A1, published Jul. 24, 2003 andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Unfortunately, knownself-flashing bracket assemblies can be mounted in one position only.Particularly, oblong or rectangular bracket assemblies must beseparately manufactured with distinct features for horizontal andvertical orientations. This requires separate manufacturingmolds/tooling and can complicate shipping and stocking of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

A bi-directional mounting bracket assembly is utilized in conjunctionwith exterior siding that covers sheathing of an exterior wall. A basemember of the assembly has a mounting flange secured to the sheathingand a continuous wall arrangement that projects outward with respect tothe sheathing and from the mounting flange. Preferably, the wallarrangement supports a raised central panel used for mounting offixtures. The wall arrangement preferably has four walls extendinglaterally between the mounting flange and the central panel. Spacedradially outward from the two adjacent walls are respective first andsecond drip ledges, and spaced radially outward from the other twoadjacent walls are respective first and second baffle sets. When theassembly is mounted to the sheathing, a selective one of the two dripledges is disposed substantially horizontally and beneath the wallarrangement for shedding of water. The baffle set adjacent to thehorizontal drip ledge cascades water downward and generally toward therespective wall to channel water upon the selected horizontal dripledge.

Preferably, the wall arrangement and central panel are rectangular isshape thus the first drip ledge is shorter than the second drip ledgeand the first baffle set has a linear length shorter than the secondbaffle set. An exterior trim member or flange preferably snap fits tothe base member for covering the cut edges of the siding, the bafflesets, and the drip ledges.

Features, advantages and benefits of the present invention include amounting bracket assembly having an irregular or rectangular shape thatcan be selectively mounted in at least two positions without degradingthe assemblies self-flashing and water shedding capability. Otheradvantages include improved water shedding capabilities that eliminatesor reduces exposure of the sheathing to moisture that could cause damageto structural material and potentially attract unwanted insects. Theassembly reduces or eliminates of structural maintenance, has a designthat is relatively simple, robust and versatile, and is inexpensive tomanufacture and easy to install.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bi-directional mounting bracketassembly embodying the present invention and illustrated in a verticalposition and an unassembled state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket assemblyillustrated in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mounting bracket assembly in theunassembled state; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the mounting bracket assemblytaken from circle 4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a bi-directional mounting bracketassembly 20 embodying the present invention generally projects or isexposed through exterior siding (not shown) of a substantially verticalwall of any variety of buildings or residential structures exposed toinclement weather such as rain and generally water runoff. The assembly20 provides an aesthetically pleasing surface for which any variety ofexterior components can be easily mounted or project therefrom. Suchcomponents include but are not limited to hose spigots, electricalreceptacles, clothes dryer vents, and light fixtures.

The assembly 20 is fastened to a substructure of the exterior wallpreferably prior to placement of the siding. The substructure isgenerally an underlayment or sheathing that is preferably covered by thesiding material. The mounting bracket assembly 20 is generallyself-flashing for the prevention of water seepage beneath the siding,and has a base member 26 secured to the sheathing and a trim member 28that preferably snap fits to the base member 26 along an axis 30preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the sheathing.

The base member 26 is generally a rectangular shape (as oppose to squareor round) and can be mounted in two selective positions, preferablyvertical or horizontal. The base member 26 has a mounting flange 32 anda rectangular wall arrangement 34 (see FIG. 1). The flange 32 projectsradially outward from the wall arrangement 34 and is typically nailed tothe sheathing. The wall arrangement 34 projects axially or laterallyoutward from the flange 32 and preferably to a radially inward andrectangular facial or central panel 36 spaced from and orientatedsubstantially parallel to the underlayment. Generally, the central panel36 is that portion of the base member 26 that is exposed through thesiding with the wall arrangement 34 defining or carrying a substantiallyrectangular perimeter 38 of the central panel 36 at its distal edge. Acutout 40 preferably communicates through the panel 36 and has a shapegenerally dictated by the component or appendage projecting through it(not shown).

Preferably the rectangular wall arrangement 34 of the base member 26 hasa first wall 50, a second wall 52, a third wall 54 and a fourth wall 56.When the assembly 20 is in a vertical position 58 (i.e. the first andsecond walls 50, 52 are longer than the third and fourth walls 54, 56)and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and second walls 50, 52 aresubstantially vertical, thus being left and right side walls,respectively. Similarly, the third and fourth walls 54, 56 aresubstantially horizontal, thus being top and bottom walls, respectively.The flange 32 of the base member 26 has a left portion 60 associatedwith the left side wall 50, a right portion 62 associated with the rightside wall 52, a top portion 64 associated with the top wall 54, and abottom portion 66 associated with the bottom wall 56. Because theassembly 20 is bi-directional, the base member 26 can be rotated aboutninety degrees counter-clockwise moving the assembly from the verticalposition as illustrated in FIG. 1 and into a horizontal position (notshown). When in the horizontal position, the longer first wall 50 is thebottom wall, the longer second wall 52 is the top wall, the shorterthird wall 54 is the left side wall and the shorter fourth wall 56 isthe right side wall.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, two sets of sloped baffles 68, 70 of thebase member 26 are formed to and project axially outward from adjacentportions 62, 64 of the mounting flange 32, respectively, for channelingwater generally radially inward, with respect to axis 30, toward therespective second and third walls 52, 54, respectively. Each baffle set68, 70 are arranged in a linear fashion generally forming a line that isspaced radially outward from and substantially parallel to respectivesecond and third walls 52, 54 of the rectangular wall arrangement 34.

Projecting laterally outward from the first or left portion 60 and thefourth or bottom portion 66 of the flange 32 are respective drip ledges72, 74. The elongated drip ledges 72, 74 extend substantially parallelto and are spaced radially outward from respective first and fourthwalls 50, 56. Drip ledge 72 has a shelf portion 76 engaged directly tothe left portion 60 of the flange 32 and projecting laterally outwardtherefrom to a drip edge 78. Projecting laterally outward from the dripedge 78 and radially outward with respect to axis 30 is a draped portion80 of the drip ledge 72. Contiguous to the ends of the shelf portion 76and the left portion 60 are respective end dams 82, 84 for divertingwater over the drip edge 78 when the assembly 20 is in the horizontalposition. Similarly, the drip ledge 74 has a shelf portion 86 engageddirectly to the bottom portion 66 of the flange 32 and projectinglaterally outward therefrom to a drip edge 88. Projecting laterallyoutward from the drip edge 88 and radially outward with respect to axis30 is a draped portion 90 of the drip ledge 74. Contiguous to the endsof the shelf portion 86 and the bottom portion 66 are respective enddams 92, 94 for diverting water over the drip edge 88 when the assembly20 is in the vertical position.

The trim member 28 has an exterior flange 96 that defines asubstantially rectangular hole 98 contoured to accept the central panel36 of the base member 26. The flange 96 has an external surface 99designed to be aesthetically pleasing and an internal surface 100 thatfaces in an axial inward direction with respect to the axis 30. Locatedproximate to each of four corners of the exterior flange 96 andprojecting in an axial inward direction with respect to axis 30 and fromthe internal surface 100 are four pins 102, 104, 106, 108. Each pin 102,104, 106, 108 is associated with a respective bosses 110, 112, 114, 116of the base member 26 each having a bore 118 for snug or locking receiptof the associate pins 102, 104, 106, 108 when the assembly 20 isassembled.

Preferably, boss 110 carries end dam 84 of drip ledge 72 and end dam 92of drip ledge 74; boss 112 carries end dam 94 of drip ledge 74; boss 114is generally a corner fitting between baffle sets 68, 70; and boss 116carries end dam 82 of drip ledge 72. A series of spacers or ribs 120project axially outward from each draped portion 80, 90 for spacing theinternal surface 100 of the exterior flange 96 away from the drip ledges72, 74 to assure that water does not dam behind the trim member 28. Aliving hinge 122 is preferably carried between the distal edge of drapedportion 90 of drip ledge 74 and an outer perimeter 124 of the exteriorflange 96. The living hinge 122 preferably has a series of linearlyaligned slots 126 for the drainage of water when the assembly 20 is inthe vertical position 58.

The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly 20 is preferably oneunitary injection molded plastic part. During installation of theassembly 20, the installer first selects the desired vertical orhorizontal position. When selected, the installer assures that one ofthe two drip ledges 72, 74 are near the bottom of the base member 26.The flange 32 of the base member 26 is then fastened or preferablynailed to the sheathing. Preferably the mounting flange 32 has holes 128for receipt of nails or screws for this attachment.

With the base member 26 secured to the sheathing, the siding isappropriately trimmed during installation placing the siding over themounting flange 32 and beneath the draped portions 80, 90 of respectivedrip ledges 72, 74. The siding is also trimmed so that the cut edges areradially outward from and abut or are substantially near to planarsegments 130 of each baffle of the baffle sets 68, 70, and abut or aresubstantially near to the shelf portions 76, 86 of respective dripledges 72, 74. With the siding installed, the trim member 28 is pivotedabout the living hinge 122 until the pins 102, 104, 106, 108 are pressfitted into the respective bosses 110, 112, 114, 116. When completelyinstalled, the trim member 28 covers the cut ends of the siding alongwith the baffle sets 68, 70 and drip ledges 72, 74 of the base member 26for a pleasing appearance.

In operation and during inclement weather, water intrusion, or rainwater cascading down the siding from above the mounting bracket assembly20 will flow beneath the exterior flange 96. When the assembly 20 is inthe vertical position 58 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the baffle set 70 isgenerally inactive since gravity will cause water to impinge upon theadjacent top wall 54 regardless of the baffle set's presence. Eachbaffle of the generally vertical baffle set 68, however, has a slopedsegment 132 that projects downward from the planar segment 130 andtoward the left causing the water to cascade downward from one slopedsegment 132 to the next and until the water is diverted upon the shelfportion 86 of the drip ledge 74 proximate to the end dam 94. Any waterflowing downward upon the first portion 60 of the mounting flange 32 issubstantially channeled downward between the vertical shelf portion 76of the drip ledge 72 and the first wall 50 of the wall arrangement 34and is diverted upon the shelf portion 86 of the drip ledge 74 by theend dam 92. All water collected upon the shelf portion 86 flows over thedrip edge 88 and through the space between the draped portion 90 andinternal surface 100 of the exterior flange 96 created by the spacers120. If the assembly 20 is mounted in the horizontal position instead ofthe vertical position 58 as illustrated, operation of the assembly isgenerally the same except that the functions of the drip ledges 72, 74are reversed, and the functions of the baffle sets 68, 70 are reversed.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Forinstance, the present invention is not limited to an assembly having arectangular shape or a wall arrangement having only four walls. In fact,the assembly could be of any variety of irregular shapes wherein achoice of mounting positions is desirable. Obviously, many modificationsand variations of the present invention are possible in light of theabove teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that referencenumerals are utilized merely for convenience and are not to be limitingin any way, and that the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

1. A bi-directional mounting bracket assembly for sided exterior wallsthat have a substantially vertical substructure covered by siding, themounting bracket assembly comprising: an axis projecting outward fromthe substructure; a base member having a wall arrangement projecting inan axial outward direction with respect to the exterior wall, a mountingflange projecting radially outward from the wall arrangement withrespect to the axis and selectively positioned and attached to thesubstructure, and wherein the mounting flange is disposed at leastin-pan beneath the siding; the wall arrangement having elongated first,second, third and fourth walls wherein the first wall extendslongitudinally between ends of the third and fourth walls and the secondwall extends longitudinally between opposite ends of the third andfourth walls and wherein the third and fourth walls are longitudinallyshorter than the first and second walls; an elongated first drip ledgeof the base member spaced radially outward from and co-extendinglongitudinally with the first wall, the first drip ledge having a firstend and an opposite second end; an elongated second drip ledge of thebase member spaced radially outward from and co-extending longitudinallywith the fourth wall, the second drip ledge having a first end and anopposite second end, wherein the second end of the first drip ledge isformed to the first end of the fourth drip ledge; an exterior flangedefining an opening and contoured to at least partially fit the wallarrangement in the opening and wherein the first and second drip ledgesare located axially between the mounting flange and the exterior flange;a first series of baffles formed to the mounting flange and spacedradially outward from the second wall; and a second series of bafflesformed to the mounting flange and spaced radially outward from the thirdwall.
 2. The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth in claim1 wherein the elongated second drip ledge is shorter longitudinally thanthe elongated first drip ledge.
 3. A bi-directional mounting bracketassembly for sided exterior walls that have a substantially verticalsubstructure covered by siding, the mounting bracket assemblycomprising: an axis projecting outward from the substructure; a basemember having a wall arrangement projecting in an axial outwarddirection with respect to the exterior wall, a mounting flangeprojecting radially outward from the wall arrangement with respect tothe axis and selectively positioned and attached to the substructure,and wherein the mounting flange is disposed at least in-part beneath thesiding; the wall arrangement having elongated first, second, third andfourth walls wherein the first wall extends longitudinally between endsof the third and fourth walls and the second wall extends longitudinallybetween opposite ends of the third and fourth walls and wherein thethird and fourth walls are longitudinally shorter than the first andsecond walls; an elongated first drip ledge of the base member spacedradially outward from and co-extending longitudinally with the firstwall, the first drip ledge having a first end and an opposite secondend; an elongated second drip ledge of the base member spaced radiallyoutward from and co-extending longitudinally with the fourth wall, thesecond drip ledge having a first end and an opposite second end, whereinthe second end of the first drip ledge is formed to the first end of thefourth drip ledge; and an exterior flange defining an opening andcontoured to at least partially fit the wall arrangement in the openingand wherein the first and second drip ledges are located axially betweenthe mounting flange and the exterior flange; and the first and seconddrip ledges each having an elongated shelf portion extendinglongitudinally between the respective first and second ends and anelongated draped portion co-extending longitudinally with and projectinglaterally outward from the respective shelf portions and radiallyoutward with respect to the axis.
 4. The bi-directional mounting bracketassembly set forth in claim 3 wherein the draped portions of the firstand second drip ledges are spaced axially outward from the mountingflange by the respective shelf portions.
 5. The bi-directional mountingbracket assembly set forth in claim 4 further comprising at least onespacer projecting in an axial outward direction from each draped portionfor spacing the trim member from the draped portions.
 6. Thebi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth in claim 1 whereinthe first series of baffles are aligned linearly and co-extendlongitudinally with the second wall and the second series of baffles arealigned linearly and co-extend longitudinally with the third wall. 7.The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth in claim 6further comprising: each baffle of the first and second series ofbaffles having a sloped portion; and wherein each one of the slopedportions lie in a respective imaginary plane with the imaginary planesbeing spaced from and parallel to one another.
 8. The bi-directionalmounting bracket assembly set forth in claim 6 further comprising: eachbaffle of the first and second series of baffles having a planarportion; and wherein each one of the planar portions of the first seriesof baffles lie within a first imaginary plane and each one of the planarportions of the second series of baffles lie within a second imaginaryplane.
 9. The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth inclaim 8 wherein the first imaginary plane is perpendicular to the secondimaginary plane.
 10. A bi-directional mounting bracket assembly forsided exterior walls that have a substantially vertical substructurecovered by siding, the mounting bracket assembly comprising: an axisprojecting outward from the substructure; a base member having a wallarrangement projecting in an axial outward direction with respect to theexterior wall, a mounting flange projecting radially outward from thewall arrangement with respect to the axis and selectively positioned andattached to the substructure, and wherein the mounting flange isdisposed at least in-pan beneath the siding; the wall arrangement havingelongated first, second, third and fourth walls wherein the first wallextends longitudinally between ends of the third and fourth walls andthe second wall extends longitudinally between opposite ends of thethird and fourth walls and wherein the third and fourth walls arelongitudinally shorter than the first and second walls; an elongatedfirst drip ledge of the base member spaced radially outward from andco-extending longitudinally with the first wall, the first drip ledgehaving a first end and an opposite second end; an elongated second dripledge of the base member spaced radially outward from and co-extendinglongitudinally with the fourth wall, the second drip ledge having afirst end and an opposite second end, wherein the second end of thefirst drip ledge is formed to the first end of the fourth drip ledge; anexterior flange defining an opening and contoured to at least partiallyfit the wall arrangement in the opening and wherein the first and seconddrip ledges are located axially between the mounting flange and theexterior flange; and a living hinge located between the exterior flangeand one of the first and second drip ledges.
 11. A bi-directionalmounting bracket assembly for sided exterior walls that have asubstantially vertical substructure covered by siding, the mountingbracket assembly comprising: an axis projecting outward from thesubstructure; a base member having a wall arrangement projecting in anaxial outward direction with respect to the exterior wall, a mountingflange projecting radially outward from the wall arrangement withrespect to the axis and selectively positioned and attached to thesubstructure, and wherein the mounting flange is disposed at leastin-part beneath the siding; the wall arrangement having elongated first,second, third and fourth walls wherein the first wall extendslongitudinally between ends of the third and fourth walls and the secondwall extends longitudinally between opposite ends of the third andfourth walls and wherein the third and fourth walls are longitudinallyshorter than the first and second walls; an elongated first drip ledgeof the base member spaced radially outward from and co-extendinglongitudinally with the first wall, the first drip ledge having a firstend and an opposite second end; an elongated second drip ledge of thebase member spaced radially outward from and co-extending longitudinallywith the fourth wall, the second drip ledge having a first end and anopposite second end, wherein the second end of the first drip ledge isformed to the first end of the fourth drip ledge; an exterior flangedefining an opening and contoured to at least partially fit the wallarrangement in the opening and wherein the first and second drip ledgesare located axially between the mounting flange and the exterior flange;and wherein each end of the first and second drip ledges have end damsfor diverting water from above and upon the respective drip ledge. 12.The bi-direction mounting bracket assembly set forth in claim 11 furthercomprising: a first boss projecting axially outward from the mountingflange and carrying adjacent end dams of the first and second dripledges; a bore in the first boss; and a first pin projecting axiallyinward from the exterior flange and fitted into the bore for engagingthe exterior flange to the base member.
 13. The bi-direction mountingbracket assembly set forth in claim 12 wherein the first boss is spacedradially outward from the wall arrangement.
 14. A bi-directionalmounting bracket assembly for sided exterior walls that have asubstantially vertical substructure covered by siding, the mountingbracket assembly comprising: an axis projecting outward from thesubstructure; a base member having a wall arrangement projecting in anaxial outward direction with respect to the exterior wall, a mountingflange projecting radially outward from the wall arrangement withrespect to the axis and selectively positioned and attached to thesubstructure, and wherein the mounting flange is disposed at leastin-pan beneath the siding; an elongated first drip ledge of the basemember spaced radially outward from the wall arrangement, the first dripledge having a first end and an opposite second end; an elongated seconddrip ledge of the base member spaced radially outward from the allarrangement, the second drip ledge having a first end coupled to thesecond end of the first drip ledge and an opposite second end, andwherein the first and second drip ledges are tangentially positionedwith respect to the axis; an exterior flange defining a hole for atleast partial receipt of the wall arrangement, and wherein the exteriorflange is constructed and arranged to be attachable to the base memberfor covering the first and second drip ledges; and a first series ofbaffles spaced radially outward from the wall arrangement for cascadingwater downward and upon the second drip ledge when the assembly is inthe first mounting position; and a second series of baffles spacedradially outward from the wall arrangement and extending between thefirst end of the first drip ledge and the first series of baffles; andwherein the second series of baffles cascades water downward and uponthe first drip ledge when the assembly is in the second mountingposition.
 15. The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth inclaim 14 further comprising: a first mounting position wherein the firstdrip ledge is disposed below the wall arrangement; and a second mountingposition wherein the second drip ledge is disposed below the wallarrangement.
 16. The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forthin claim 14 further comprising the first and second drip ledges having adraped portion projecting radially outward with respect to the axis. 17.The bi-directional mounting bracket assembly set forth in claim 16wherein a portion of the siding is located between the mounting flangeand the draped portions and the draped portions are spaced from theexterior flange for the shedding of water.